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High-resolution and real-time imaging of particle ion trajectories is essential in nuclear medicine and nuclear engineering. One potential method to achieve high-resolution real-time trajectory imaging of particle ions involves utilizing an imaging system that integrates a scintillator plate with a magnifying unit and a cooled electron multiplying charge-coupled device (EM-CCD) camera. However, acquiring an EM-CCD camera might prove challenging due to the discontinuation of CCD sensor manufacturing by vendors. As an alternative imaging approach, a low-noise, high-sensitivity camera utilizing a cooled complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor offers a promising solution for imaging particle ion trajectories. Yet, it remains uncertain whether CMOS-based cameras can perform as effectively as CCD-based cameras in capturing particle ion trajectories. To address these concerns, we conducted a comparative analysis of the imaging performance between a CMOS-based system and an EM-CCD-based system for capturing alpha particle trajectories. The results revealed that both systems could image the trajectories of alpha particle, but the spatial resolution with the CMOS-based camera exceeded that of the EM-CCD-based camera, primarily due to the smaller pixel size of the sensor. While the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the trajectory image from the CMOS-based camera initially lagged behind that from the EM-CCD-based camera, this disparity was mitigated by implementing binning techniques on the CMOS-based camera images. In conclusion, our findings suggest that a cooled CMOS camera could serve as a viable alternative for imaging particle ion trajectories.

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Through a wireless capsule endoscope (WCE) fitted with a miniature camera (about an inch), this study aims to examine the role of wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) in the diagnosis, monitoring, and evaluation of GI (gastrointestinal) disorders. In a wearable belt recorder, a capsule travels through the digestive tract and takes pictures. It attempts to find tiny components that can be used to enhance the WCE. To accomplish this, we followed the steps below: Researching current capsule endoscopy through databases, designing and simulating the device using computers, implanting the system and finding tiny components compatible with capsule size, testing the system and eliminating noise and other problems, and analyzing the results. In the present study, it was shown that a spherical WCE shaper and a smaller WCE with a size of 13.5 diameter, a high resolution, and a high frame rate (8-32 fps) could help patients with pains due to the traditional capsules and provide more accurate pictures as well as prolong the battery life. In addition, the capsule can also be used to reconstruct 3D images. Simulation experiments showed that spherical endoscopic devices are more advantageous than commercial capsule-shaped endoscopic devices for wireless applications. We found that the sphere's velocity through the fluid was greater than the capsule's.

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OBJECTIVE: Respiratory disease is a rapidly growing global health issue that impacts the quality of living of tens of millions of people around the world. Neutrophil elastase (NE) represents a key inflammatory biomarker and has previously been demonstrated to have the capability of predicting exacerbation risk related to respiratory diseases. This paper utilises a low-cost Point of Care (PoC) approach using Lateral Flow Assays (LFAs) to provide quantitative measurement of active NE in a patient's sputum. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The main aim of this study is to develop a quantitative platform using a Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) to image the LFAs and with an adaptable image analysis algorithm to measure a target biomarker concentration. This result could be used to monitor a patient's health and quality of living. In the paper, NE is used as the target biomarker to determine if the patient is suffering from a high risk of exacerbations. RESULTS: The results presented in the paper indicate the CMOS reader approach is promising for rapid and low-cost PoC devices, with the current system able to provide quantitative trends of NE concentrations as low as 100 ng/ml and is comparable to a research-based laboratory lateral flow reader. CONCLUSION: The image analysis algorithm used in the CMOS reader can estimate the minimum NE concentration of 250 ng/ml to indicate the high-risk category for exacerbations from respiratory illnesses with the same accuracy as expensive a research-based laboratory reader but by using low-cost components and onboard image analysis. CLINICAL IMPACT: The image analysis algorithm is evaluated to analyse LFAs with NE biomarker to determine the patient in a high-risk category for exacerbations. The device communicates the analysis result to medical professionals for daily historical logging for daily health monitoring without regular hospital appointments. The low-cost approach of the proposed system and image analysis approach can be adapted to analyse different biomarkers for other health concerns including multiplex LFAs without additional hardware in the reader design.

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For many years, X-ray movies have been considered a promising tool for exploring and providing insights into chemical reactions. A simultaneous multi-element X-ray movie can further clarify the behavior difference of various elements and help investigate their interactions. The present short communication illustrates how to conduct multi-element X-ray movie imaging in a synchrotron facility solely by placing a micro-pinhole in front of a visible-light complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera. It has been found that the CMOS camera can resolve X-ray fluorescence spectra when it is specially operated. In this work, a spatial resolution of ∼15 µm was achieved. In the X-ray movie, a movie frame acquisition time of 2 min and a spatial resolution of ∼50 µm were simultaneously achieved. It is clear that the CMOS camera can be a cost-efficient option for many researchers who wish to establish their own setup for visualizing chemical diffusion in various reactions.

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Wide-field fluorescence microscopy commonly uses a mercury lamp, which has limited spectral capabilities. We designed and built a programmable integrating sphere light (PISL) source which consists of nine LEDs, light-collecting optics, a commercially available integrating sphere and a baffle. The PISL source is tuneable in the range 365-490nm with a uniform spatial profile and a sufficient power at the objective to carry out spectral imaging. We retrofitted a standard fluorescence inverted microscope DM IRB (Leica) with a PISL source by mounting it together with a highly sensitive low- noise CMOS camera. The capabilities of the setup have been demonstrated by carrying out multispectral autofluorescence imaging of live BV2 cells.

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A new system for continuous flow chemiluminescence detection, based on the use of a simple and low-priced lens-free digital camera (with complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology) as a detector, is proposed for the quantitative determination of paracetamol in commercial pharmaceutical formulations. Through the camera software, AVI video files of the chemiluminescence emission are captured and then, using friendly ImageJ public domain software (from National Institutes for Health), properly processed in order to extract the analytical information. The calibration graph was found to be linear over the range 0.01-0.10 mg L-1 and over the range 1.0-100.0 mg L-1 of paracetamol, the limit of detection being 10 µg L-1. No significative interferences were found. Paracetamol was determined in three different pharmaceutical formulations: Termalgin®, Efferalgan® and Gelocatil®. The obtained results compared well with those declared on the formulation label and with those obtained through the official analytical method of British Pharmacopoeia. Graphical abstract Abbreviated scheme of the new chemiluminescence detection system proposed in this paper.

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Use of a smartphone as an optical detector for paper microfluidic devices has recently gained substantial attention due to its simplicity, ease of use, and handheld capability. Utilization of a UV light source enhances the optical signal intensities, especially for the particle immunoagglutination assay that has typically used visible or ambient light. Such enhancement is essential for true assimilation of assays to field deployable and point-of-care applications by greatly reducing the effects by independent environmental factors. This work is the first demonstration of using a UV LED (UVA) to enhance the Mie scatter signals from the particle immunoagglutination assay on the paper microfluidic devices and subsequent smartphone detection. Smartphone's CMOS camera can recognize the UVA scatter from the paper microfluidic channels efficiently in its green channel. For an Escherichia coli assay, the normalized signal intensities increased up to 50% from the negative signal with UV LED, compared with the 4% to 7% with ambient light. Detection limit was 10 colony-forming units/mL. Similar results were obtained in the presence of 10% human whole blood.

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We have begun developing an innovative ultra-fast single-photon counting imager which comprises a mega-pixel CMOS array and a newly-designed Image Intensifier. It is expected to have single photon sensitivity with 100 psec time resolution, operational at a total counting rate exceeding 1MHz. The readout is based on dead-time-free flash ADC, running at 1-2GS/s, followed by a FPGA for real-time parallel data processing. Such a device has not been realized before and is expected to revolutionize time-resolved fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy from a single-molecule to whole animal level. To evaluate the design principle, an Image Intensifier with a GaAsP photocathode (>40% quantum efficiency at 400-600 nm) followed by double MCP was evaluated together with an existing CMOS camera. In our future design, the image from CMOS Camera will be combined with the MCP output, followed by a set of FPGA and CPU for real time data processing. This stream line method will allow ultra fast single-photon counting with 100 psec time resolution and 20 µm position resolution (1M pixel imaging). In this paper, we present the design principle and preliminary results on its performance. Our future plan and the design goals are also described.